Aerosol Generating System and Method of Using Same

Abstract

An aerosol generating system (10) comprises a case (12) and a vaporizer (14), the case (12) having authentication means adapted to enable removal of the vaporizer (14) from the case (12) only in the event of a positive authentication result and/or disable removal of the vaporizer (14) from the case (12) in the event of a negative authentication result. In a method of using an aerosol generating system (10) comprising a case (12) and a vaporizer (14) removal of the vaporizer (14) from the case (12) is enabled only in the event of a positive authentication result obtained from authentication means and/or disabled in the event of a negative authentication result.

Claims

1. An aerosol generating system comprising a case and a vaporizer, the case having an authentication device adapted to enable removal of the vaporizer from the case only in an event of a positive authentication result and/or disable removal of the vaporizer from the case in the event of a negative authentication result.

2. The aerosol generating system of claim 1, further comprising at least one authentication interface provided on the case and/or a mobile device.

3. The aerosol generating system of claim 2, wherein the at least one authentication interface is based on RFID, Bluetooth and/or biometric detection.

4. The aerosol generating system of claim 1, wherein removal of the vaporizer is disabled by an element having a shape memory alloy and/or an electric lock having at least one magnet, solenoid and/or motor adapted to actuate a lock by electric power being supplied or removed.

5. The aerosol generating system of claim 1, wherein removal of the vaporizer is disabled by at least one first locking or blocking element engaging the vaporizer and/or that blocks movement thereof.

6. The aerosol generating system of claim 5, wherein the at least one first locking or blocking element is slidable and/or pivotable.

7. The aerosol generating system of claim 5, wherein the vaporizer comprises a recess, and wherein the locking or blocking element is a pin arranged to enter the recess.

8. (canceled)

9. The aerosol generating system of claim 5, wherein removal of the vaporizer is disabled by at least one second locking or blocking element engaging a door or lid associated with a chamber or recess accommodating the vaporizer and/or that blocks movement thereof.

10. The aerosol generating system of claim 9, wherein the at least one second locking or blocking element is slidable and/or pivotable.

11. The aerosol generating system of claim 1, wherein the authentication device is adapted to disable removal of the vaporizer after a predetermined time after detection of the vaporizer.

12. The aerosol generating system of claim 11, wherein the predetermined time is set by a mobile device.

13. (canceled)

14. The aerosol generating system of claim 1, wherein the vaporizer is nested in a recess of the case and wherein a gap is provided at a lower end of the recess configured to allow a user to apply pressure at the lower end of the vaporizer for tilting the vaporizer about a step.

15. A method of using an aerosol generating system comprising a case and a vaporizer, in which removal of the vaporizer from the case is enabled only in the event of a positive authentication result obtained from an authentication interface and/or disabled in the event of a negative authentication result.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein at least one first locking or blocking element slid in order to enable removal of the vaporizer.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the vaporizer comprises a recess, and wherein the locking or blocking element is a pin arranged to enter the recess.

18. (canceled)

19. The method of claim 16, wherein at least one second locking or blocking element is pivoted to enable removal of the vaporizer.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein an authentication device disables removal of the vaporizer after a predetermined time after detection of the vaporizer.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the predetermined time is set by a mobile device.

22. The method of claim 15, wherein the movement for taking the vaporizer from the case starts with a tilting movement.

23. The method of claim 15, wherein the vaporizer is nested in a recess the case and wherein a gap is provided at a lower end of the recess, and wherein the user applies pressure at the lower end of the vaporizer so that the vaporizer then tilts about a step.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Hereinafter, preferred embodiment of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, in which

[0025] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment;

[0026] FIG. 2 shows a cut view of the first embodiment in an unlocked state;

[0027] FIG. 3 shows the embodiment of FIG. 1 in a locked state;

[0028] FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment in a front view;

[0029] FIG. 5 shows a portion of the second embodiment in an unlocked state;

[0030] FIG. 6 shows the embodiment of FIG. 4 in a locked state;

[0031] FIG. 7 shows the embodiment of FIG. 4 with an opened lid;

[0032] FIG. 8 shows a third embodiment in an unlocked state;

[0033] FIG. 9 shows the embodiment of FIG. 8 in a locked state; and

[0034] FIG. 10 shows the embodiment of FIG. 8 with an opened lid.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0035] In the embodiment of an aerosol generating system 10 shown in FIG. 1 vaporizer 14 is nested in an appropriate recess 18 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) of a case 12. Due to an appropriate gap (not visible) at the (according to FIG. 1) lower end of the recess 18, the user can apply pressure at the lower end of the vaporizer and it will then tilt about a step (not visible in figure) as indicated by arrow A, so that it can be removed.

[0036] As shown in more detail in FIGS. 2 and 3, the vaporizer 14 comprises a groove 20, which can also be formed as a hole or any other type of recess, which a pin 16 (example of a first locking or blocking element) can enter. The pin 16 is slidable within the case 12 and can particularly be slid into a position protruding into the recess 18.

[0037] As can be taken from FIG. 3, when the vaporizer 14 is placed in the recess 18, its removal can be blocked by the pin 16 engaging the groove 20. In particular, the pin 16 can be adapted to only be retracted into the position shown in FIG. 2 in the case of a positive authentication results so as to allow removal of the vaporizer 14 from the case 12 only under such circumstances. Thus, the pin 16 constitutes the locking element or member, and the combination of pin 16 and groove 20 in this case constitutes the authentication means, and retraction of the pin 16 may for example be controlled by a suitable controller, such as a main control unit on a printed circuit board. The controller typically receives authentication information from an authentication interface such as a fingerprint sensor or a wireless communication interface and appropriately controls the movement of the pin 16. Movement as such can for example be effected by at least one magnet, solenoid or motor. In particular, a solenoid can be used to effect linear movement of the pin 16. All of the above details regarding control and effecting movement also apply to the embodiments described below. In the case of pivotable authentication means as described below, an electric motor is particularly suitable, but a shape memory alloy can also be used. This also applies to any kind of electric lock.

[0038] Further, since the vaporizer 14 is in this case fully nested within recess 18 of the case 12, removal thereof will typically be initiated by tilting. Such a movement can also be blocked by a suitable, removable, in particular retractable blocking member which can be present in the space between vaporizer 14 and the bottom of the recess 18 visible in FIGS. 2 and 3 in line with the gist of the invention. In particular, as long as such a blocking member blocks the gap or space, which the vaporizer needs to enter for tilting, this movement is blocked and since no portion of the vaporizer 14 allowing grasping thereof is exposed, it cannot be taken out of the case 12. Such a blocking member then constitutes the authentication means.

[0039] The same effect is achieved, according to the embodiment of FIGS. 4 to 7, by blocking the door or lid 22 of the case 12 which allows access to a vaporizer 14 as shown in FIG. 4 in a cut view. Although details of the lid 22 and a hinge 26 differ between FIG. 4 on the one hand and FIGS. 5 and 6 on the other hand, the principle regarding a pivotable lid remains the same.

[0040] In particular, the lid 22 can be opened by pivoting in (according to FIGS. 5 and 6) counterclockwise direction about a hinge 26. In the situation shown in FIG. 5 the pivotable hook 24 (example of a second locking or blocking element) does not engage an appropriate groove 20 provided on the lid 22, so that the lid can be opened, and the vaporizer can be removed, as shown in FIG. 7.

[0041] However, as shown in FIG. 6, when the hook has been pivoted, in the case shown about a quarter circle in clockwise direction, the closed lid is blocked and removal of the vaporizer is prevented. Thus, the hook constitutes a locking element member, and the combination of hook 24 and groove 20 in this case constitutes the authentication means.

[0042] The embodiment of FIG. 8 essentially corresponds to that of the embodiment of FIG. 5, but in this case a slidable pin 16 similar to that of the first embodiment is provided in order to block the lid 22 as shown in FIG. 9. In particular, in this situation, the pin 16 has entered an appropriate groove or hole 28 provided in the lid 22, in the embodiment shown in a lug 30 protruding towards the remainder of the case 12, so that the lid 22 cannot be opened. In contrast, FIG. 10 shows the opened lid, which is enabled by retraction of the pin 16.